Eggplant & Chickpea Baked Pasta
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/eggplant_chickpea_baked_pasta.html
From EatingWell: January/February 2011Turn leftover Eggplant & Chickpea Stew into a comforting vegetarian baked-pasta dish. We love the taste of mint with the other Mediterranean flavors, but you can use parsley or basil if you prefer.
4 servings, about 1 2/3 cups each | Active Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes
Ingredients
- 8 ounces whole-wheat fusilli
- 1/2 cup coarse dry whole-wheat breadcrumbs (see Note)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cups Eggplant & Chickpea Stew (recipe follows)
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint or basil, divided
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat an 8-inch-square (or similar 2-quart) baking dish with cooking spray.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse.
- Combine breadcrumbs and oil in a small bowl. Toss the pasta with stew, feta, 1/4 cup mint (or basil) and lemon juice in a large bowl. Spread the mixture in the prepared baking dish. Top with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Bake until the topping is golden and crispy, about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup mint (or basil).
Nutrition
Per serving : 496 Calories; 17 g Fat; 7 g Sat; 7 g Mono; 33 mg Cholesterol; 71 g Carbohydrates; 21 g Protein; 13 g Fiber; 686 mg Sodium; 612 mg Potassium
4 1/2 Carbohydrate Serving
Exchanges: 4 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 high-fat meat, 2 fat
Tips & Notes
- Make Ahead Tip: Assemble the casserole in the baking dish (through Step 3). Cover and refrigerate overnight. Let stand at room temperature while the oven preheats. Finish with Step 4.
- Note: To make your own breadcrumbs, trim crusts from whole-wheat bread. Tear bread into pieces and process in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 250°F until dry, about 10 to 15 minutes. One slice of bread makes about 1/3 cup dry breadcrumbs. For store-bought coarse dry breadcrumbs we like Ian’s brand, labeled “Panko breadcrumbs.” Find them at well-stocked supermarkets.